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7/28/2019 Classicism Short

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Classicism17th century Europe


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Definition

Classicism - a term that, when applied generally, means clearness,elegance, symmetry and repose produced by attention to

traditional forms

More precisely, the term refers to the admiration and imitation of

Greek and Roman literature, art and architecture kalon kai agathon Greek ideal of beautiful and good

17thcentury France, Italy, Germany and England


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Historical Context

- the emerging of absolutist monarchies (FranceLouisthe XIVle roi soleil)

- the restoration of the monarchy in England (Stuart

Dynasty) -The 30 Years War

-religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants

- witch hunts


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Absolutist monarchy

Louis XIV, King of France

Letat, cest moi!


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Restoration of the Monarchy

in England

King Charles II of England


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Ferdinand II

German Kaiser


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The Thirty Years War (1618 1648)France EnglandNorway-Denmark Sweden

The Holy Roman Empire

Spain Austria Bavaria

Bohemia NetherlandsSaxony Scotland


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Witchcraft Trials

Awitch-hunt is a search for witches or evidence of witchcraft,often involving moral panic, mass hysteria and mob lynching, butin historical instances also legally sanctioned and involvingofficial witchcraft trials.

The classical period of witch-hunts in Europe falls into the EarlyModern period or about 1450 to 1700, spanning the upheavals oftheReformation and theThirty Years' War, resulting in tens ofthousands of executions.


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Witch- trial

estimatednumberof burned witches :

1-9 million(15th-18thcentury)


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What is a Witch? Characteristics of a witch : lack of church attendance the presence on a field before a storm

knowledge of herbs

kindredship or friendship to an already convicted witch

homelessness witchy appearance

old age

witch-signs: non-sensitive parts of the body due to alliance with the Devil

inability to shed tears

low body-weight

unable to drown in water


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The Crucible

The CrucibleA. Miller

The Crucible - movie


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Cultural Context

- painting: N. Poussin, Le Brun, J.M. Moreau

- architecture: Versailles Palace, Die Alte Oper, La

Madeleine, etc.


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Literature

vraisemblance the imitation of nature, the spirit of truth,harmony, artistic equilibrium of the work

"Classical unities" of time, place and action Unity of time referred to the need for the entire action of the play to take

place in a fictional 24-hour period

Unity of place meant that the action should unfold in a single location

Unity of action meant that the play should be constructed around a single'plot-line', such as a tragic love affair or a conflict between honour andduty.

elevated, adorned style and language

purity of genres

moralising value : fables by La Fontaine


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Literature - Tragedy

Imitation of the Antique writers

Tragic ending

Corneille : El Cid, Fedra


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Literature - Comedy

The satire: term applied to any work of literature or art whoseobjective is ridicule. It is more easily recognized than defined. From ancienttimes satirists have shared a common aim: to expose foolishness in all its

guisesvanity, hypocrisy, pedantry, idolatry, bigotry, sentimentalityand toeffect reform through such exposure. The many diverse forms their statements

have taken reflect the origin of the word satire, which is derived from theLatin satura, meaning dish of mixed fruits, hence a medley ColumbiaEncyclopedy

Topics dealing with everyday life

Linear (non-evolving) characterthe avaricious, the misanthrope (Molire)


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Literature - Novels

Topics: sentimental, adventure or philosophical drama

Subjective narrative

Complex characters, built around a main characteristic

truth, honour, dedication, etc.


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Literature - Poetry

Fixed-form poetry: the idyll, the elegy, ode or satire

Rigorous in form and structure

Moralising and teaching character of poems


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La MadeleineParis, France


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Chateau de Versaillesnear Paris, France


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The British MuseumLondon, UK

classicism short

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